Debapriya Bhattacharya
Based on the manga series created by Rumiko Takahashi, ‘Ranma 1/2’ by Kimiko Ueno follows Ranma Saotome, who undertakes a martial arts training expedition to China with his father, Genma. Following an accident, they are cursed to transform when doused in cold water. While Genma turns into a panda, Ranma transforms into a girl. The change is reversible by hot water, and none of the states are permanent. Returning home, Ranma finds out that he is betrothed to one of the daughters of his father’s closest friend, Soun Tendou.
The families come together and decide that Ranma is to marry the youngest daughter, Akane. While both the boy and the girl vehemently protest the union, they are forced to live together, with Ranma’s curse adding to the chaos. Going through hilarious misunderstandings, the two ultimately come closer together. If the comedic formula has won you over, here is a list of anime similar to ‘Ranma 1/2’ that you can consider for your next binge.
8. Love Hina (2000)
Originally titled ‘Rabu Hina,’ ‘Love Hina’ is adapted from the manga created by Ken Akamatsu of the same name. It tells the story of Keitarou Urashima, whose dream was to attend Tokyo University with his childhood sweetheart and stay together forever. It does not turn into a reality, as he fails twice to clear the entrance examination. One day, Keitarou’s grandmother, who runs an inn, calls and offers him to join her in running her establishment. Thinking that the change in scenery would help him focus on his studies, he arrives at the place to discover that it has been converted into an all-girls dormitory. With five inmates of strong individuality already present, Keitarou takes the challenging role of the building manager and learns to know more about them. The comedic conflict between boy and girl as seen in ‘Ranma 1/2’ is reflected in ‘Love Hina.’
7. Ah! My Goddess (2005)
‘Aa! Megami-sama!,’ also titled ‘Ah! My Goddess,’ adapted from the manga by Kōsuke Fujishima, takes place in a world where humans can reach out to Goddesses with the Goddess Help Hotline. When Keiichi Morisato calls upon Goddess Belldandy by accident and jokes that she should stay with him forever, his wish gets granted. This has serious implications, with Keiichi being forced to leave the all-male dormitory he was staying in for being accompanied by a woman. He and Bellandy start living in a Buddhist temple, where their relationship slowly blossoms. The duo working on overcoming their awkwardness with each other and revealing their true selves is reminiscent of how Ranma and Akane work on their relationship in ‘Ranma 1/2.’
6. Maison Ikkoku (1986-1988)
Based on the manga created by Rumiko Takahashi, ‘Maison Ikkoku’ or ‘Mezon Ikkoku’ centers around the titular boarding house with eccentric tenants. Fed up with the constant disruptions to his studies, the quiet tenant Yuusaku Godai decides to move out in search of a more peaceful establishment. However, his plans are interrupted by the arrival of the new boarding house manager, Kyoko Otonashi. Yuusaku is instantly smitten by her beauty and decides to stay back and pursue her romantically. However, there are challenges to be overcome, as Kyoko is a widow who has lost her husband only six months ago and continues to pine for him, and Yuusaku has competition for Kyoko’s heart from within the boarding itself. The romantic comedy about Yuusaku Godai trying to figure out what he truly wants and going after it is similar to ‘Ranma 1/2.’
5. Tenchi Muyo! (1995)
From the mind of Masaki Kajishima, ‘Tenchi Muyo!’ revolves around Tenchi Masaki, whose life changes after the ship of an infamous space pirate, Ryouko Hakubi, crashes near his family’s temple. Soon, his home becomes inhabited by five more alien women, including Princess Aeka of Jurai and her sister, Princess Sasami; detective Mihoshi Kuramitsu and her partner Kiyone Makibi; and scientist Washuu Hakubi. The women have a hard time adjusting to life on Earth, creating troubles for Tenchi. However, everyone starts to adjust to each other over time, and Tenchi finds his purpose in life. His journey of self-discovery with the new women in his life mirrors what Ranma undertakes in ‘Ranma 1/2.’
4. Toradora! (2008-2009)
Based on the light novel series by Yuyuko Takemiya, ‘Toradora!’ is about Ryuuji Takasu, a gentle kid with an intimidating demeanor, and Taiga Aisaka, a small and cute girl with a fierce personality. The two cross paths in their school, and each discovers that they have a crush on the other person’s best friend. Thus, they join hands to help each other confess their feelings, and in the process, are drawn closer together. As they start to spend time with each other to achieve their goal, the equation between them starts to shift. Much like ‘Ranma 1/2,’ it is the odd partnership at the center of the narrative that drives the series.
3. Cheeky Angel (2002-2003)
Adapted from the manga by Hiroyuki Nishimori, ‘Tenshi na Konamaiki,’ also known as ‘Cheeky Angel,’ follows Megumi-chan, a high school girl who used to be a boy. At the age of nine, the boy known as Megumi-kun receives a magical book from which a genie emerges and grants him a wish. When the child wishes to be a man in a man’s body, the genie deceives him by making the reverse come true. Over the following years, Megumi dedicates herself to reclaiming the book and reversing the curse. However, she finds herself burdened with more trouble as she enters high school, where she beats up a school bully who falls in love with her. The transformation from a boy to a girl and being in the middle of a complicated courtship make ‘Cheeky Angel’ resonate with the themes of ‘Ranma 1/2.’
2. Urusei Yatsura (2022-2023)
Originally created by Rumiko Takahashi as a manga series, ‘Urusei Yatsura’ is set on an Earth under the threat of an alien invasion. The aliens propose that to stop them from attacking Earth, a randomly selected person needs to defeat Lum, the beautiful daughter of their leader, in a one-on-one game of tag. Incidentally, high school student Ataru Moroboshi becomes the chosen one. As he manages to win, Lum mistakenly assumes that Ataru wants to marry her and moves in with him. This infuriates Shinobu Miyake, Ataru’s childhood friend, whom he has promised to marry. The complicated relationship in which Ataru finds himself is reminiscent of Ranma’s situation after his marriage is fixed in ‘Ranma 1/2.’
1. Inuyasha (2000-2004)
Based on the manga series by Rumiko Takahashi, ‘Inuyasha’ follows 15-year-old Kagome Higurashi, who gets pulled by a demon into the old well of her family’s shrine on her birthday and travels back in time to arrive in feudal Japan. There, she is hunted by monsters in search of the Shikon Jewel, a small sphere with extraordinary powers that she unknowingly carries. She also comes across Inuyasha, a half-demon boy who hates her for her resemblance to a shrine maiden with whom he has a real feud. Kagome and Inuyasha ultimately join forces when the Shikon Jewel is shattered in a battle, and they try to collect the shards before they fall into the wrong hands. Similar to ‘Ranma 1/2,’ the magical world of ‘Inuyasha’ has a complicated dynamic between a boy with a supernatural side and a girl who is equally strong and adamant.
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